Missouri is hoping to change its image as “the puppy mill capital of America,” the Associated Press reported.
The state’s unsavory distinction is not new.
Puppy mills have proliferated Missouri for decades because of the lax enforcement of regulations and many rural areas that allow shady breeders to operate unseen. The practice is most common in the Ozarks.
More than 4,000 puppy mills operate in the state, with breeders selling sickly puppies through the Internet, classified ads, and in pet stores. Some of the dogs spend their lives in small cages.
The puppy mill stigma is so bad that reputable breeders say they have problems running a legitimate business.
State audits in Missouri have criticized the lack of sanctions against puppy mills. In 2001, 2004 and 2008, audits cited management conflicts of interest, uneven inspection policies, and a failure to monitor chronic offenders.
The state can revoke breeders’ licenses, issue fines, and bring criminal abuse or neglect charges. But the Agriculture Department has not aggressively pursued charges.
Agriculture Director Jon Hagler, who took office in January, told the Associated press he plans to change that.
"Missouri led the nation in licensing breeders. Let's lead the nation in putting unlicensed breeders out of business," he said.
Hagler is calling for an internal audit and he wants to reopen old cases. He has a new program Operation Bark Alert, which allows residents to report puppy mills via e-mail.
Yet Hagler noted that his agency does not have the manpower to do yearly inspections, as laws require. The Humane Society of the United States offered this suggestion: Don’t license more breeders until enough inspectors are hired.
Some examples of Missouri's puppy mills include:
*J.B.’s Precious Puppies, owned by Jewel Bond, 66. In 2007, she failed state requirements after she lost her federal license temporarily. The state sold her dogs an auction, and she received the proceeds, minus a $1,000 fine.
She was back in business a year later, after reportedly purchasing some of her own dogs at the auction.
After a raid in February, she was charged with two counts of animal abuse. During the raid, inspectors found more than 200 sickly dogs. In some cases three or four were stuffed into a small cage. Inside pet food bags, inspectors found the skeletal remains of puppies and dogs. The Associated Press attempted to contact Bond for comment, but could not reach her.
*Ninety-three Yorkshire terriers were seized in a February raid in Pleasant Hope. They were covered in feces and their hair was severely matted.
State animal advocates applauded Missouri’s new efforts to clean up puppy mills. But they said only time will tell whether the program will be effective and successful.
Comments
I wish Missouri well. This just makes it so clear that when it comes to animals, you have to know your vendors, and your vendors, vendors.
Although this entire article was plagiarized. It is good of Teri to provide a platform to rebuff her incorrect assumptions.
1. Yes we (Missouri's Great Breeders)are going to stop allowing the Animal Rights people to have their way with the media. For too long they have gone unanswered, Most breeders are law abiding people who love and provide excellent care for their charges. There is the exception, just as with any business, there are failures, As an example when a restaurant fails, the Restaurant Association does not come in and steal the equipment and try to put the owner in jail....
Missouri was one of if not the first state in the Union to establish state licensing and inspections. The number of inspections has increased roughly 50.0% each year over the prior years performance. So the cheap shots taken at the Missouri APHIS division is unfounded. We should applaud the hard dedicated work of the Department.
"More than 4000 Puppy mills is absurd" This again is another attack on legal honest business trying to interfere with successful breeders.
Marketing of puppies, They are saying it is somehow wrong to sell puppies in the news paper, Internet or pet stores.. So where is a business to market its product? Sit alongside the road or at flea markets... Please this is nothing more than a ruthless attack on an America institution "Having Puppy" it is a right of passage for all children to have a puppy and is as American as Baseball.. Who are these people trying to deny you, your children and future generations the right and the wonderful experience of having and owning a dog?
Dr Hagler, is a wonderful man and is doing his best to hold these mean spirited Animal Rights people at bay.
Just remember... Great Kennels are never on TV..for doing bad things.. Here in Missouri we have the best kennels in the world.. and don't you forget it.
Joe Overlease
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